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 THE RUNNERS

News ! What is the word that they tell now—now—now ! The little drums beating in the bazaars?
 * They beat (among the buyers and the sellers)
 * 'Nimrud—ah Nimrud !
 * God sends a gnat against Nimrud ! '
 * Watchers, O Watchers a thousand !

News ! At the edge of the crops — now — now — where the well-wheels are halted, One prepares to loose the bullocks and one scrapes his hoe, They beat (among the sowers and the reapers) ' Nimrud — ah Nimrud ! God prepares an ill day for Nimrud ! ' Watchers, O Watchers ten thousand. News ! By the fires of the camps — now — now — where the travellers meet Where the camels come in and the horses : their men conferring, They beat (among the packmen and the drivers) ' Nimrud — ah Nimrud ! Thus it befell last noon to Nimrud ! ' Watchers, O Watchers an hundred thousand ! News ! Under the shadow of the border-peels — now — now — now ! In the rocks of the passes where the expectant shoe their horses, They beat (among the rifles and the riders) ' Nimrud — ah Nimrud ! Shall we go up against Nimrud ? ' Watchers, O Watchers a thousand thousand ! News ! Bring out the heaps of grain — open the account-books again ! Drive forward the well-bullocks against the taxable harvest ! Eat and lie under the trees — pitch the police-guarded fair-grounds, O dancers ! Hide away the rifles and let down the ladders from the watch-towers ! They beat (among all the peoples) ' Now — now — now ! God has reserved the Sword for Nimrud ! God has given Victory to Nimrud ! Let us abide under Nimrud ! ' O Well-disposed and Heedful, an hundred thousand thousand ! Rh